Auxiliary cooling device

Abstract

An auxiliary cooling device is used in another main cooling device, such as a refrigerator. The auxiliary cooling device includes a thermoelectric element, such as a Peltier element, which includes a heat source and a heat sink. The heat sink is used to directly or indirectly cool an item, such as a bottle of liquid. The heat source, which is insulated from the heat sink, is in close thermal contact with a heat exchange fluid in a container. The heat exchange fluid is used as a thermal buffer for the waste heat generated by the cooling process. That waste heat may be transmitted into the main storage chamber of the main cooling device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a continuation, under 35 U.S.C. §120, of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 535,919, filed May 23, 2005, which claimed priority, under 35 U.S.C. §371, to PCT / EP2003 / 014465, filed Dec. 18, 2003, which claims priority to German Application No. 102 61 366.4, filed Dec. 30, 2002, and incorporates by reference the entire prior applications.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to an auxiliary cooling device, which can be used in a cooling device, in particular a domestic refrigerator without frost compartment, to temporarily attain cooling temperatures below a normal operating temperature of the cooling device. In conventional terms a user, wanting to have storage areas with temperatures over and under 0° C. available in a cooling device, must purchase a combination unit or a refrigerator with a so-called 3- or 4-star freezing compartment. Normal cooling compartment and star-rated freezer compartment are c...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides an auxiliary cooling device for a refrigerator that allows for quick cooling or freezing of goods without increasing power consumption or taking up too much space in the refrigerator. The device uses a Peltier element and a heat sink in close thermal contact with a heat exchange fluid to cool down goods. The heat source of the Peltier element is cooled down to a lower temperature through the heat exchange fluid, resulting in efficient cooling. The device can be placed in the refrigerator or built into a cooling device and can be used as an ice cube maker. The device is controlled by a temperature sensor and a control circuit to switch off the Peltier element and circulate the heat exchange fluid if the temperature drops below a limit value. The auxiliary cooling device is space-efficient and can be used as a separate device or built into a cooling device.

Problems solved by technology

Such a refrigerator therefore has a higher specific power consumption than a comparable unit without star-rated freezer compartment.

This is in particular uneconomical if the star-rated freezer compartment is used only occasionally for freezing small quantities.

For both purposes a freezer is less suitable, on the one hand because of the difficulty in securely placing an ice cube maker therein, and on the other hand, because in the case of drinks there is the risk that they might freeze at temperatures prevalent in the freezer and burst their container.

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